Hannah H. from Tempe. Quick question about mixed-use property rates with APS (Arizona Public Service). Client has a building that's 60% retail space, 40% office space. They're currently on Schedule E-32 (Large General Service) but wondering if there's a better rate for mixed-use properties. Peak demand runs about 180 kW, mostly driven by HVAC. Anyone familiar with APS mixed-use classifications?
Mixed-Use Property Rate Classification - Retail/Office Combo
Linda M. here from Tucson. APS doesn't have specific mixed-use rates, but E-32 is probably correct for that demand level. Have you looked at Schedule E-32 TOU? The time-of-use variant often works better for office/retail combos because the peak hours align differently than pure industrial loads.
Thanks Linda. I looked at E-32 TOU but the on-peak hours (2-8 PM) actually catch their worst HVAC load in summer. The retail portion stays busy through 7 PM so no load shifting opportunity. Might stick with the standard E-32 rate.
Makes sense Hannah. Sometimes the standard rates are better despite what the utility sales rep might suggest. For mixed-use, the key is understanding the actual usage patterns rather than the building classification.